New UK base for audio-visual musical instrument/pro-audio specialist locates it in the heart of west London creative hub, writes Dave Robinson.

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Roland UK officially launched its new showroom and offices based in Metropolis Studios, the Power House, Chiswick, on Friday 21 June. Pianist and singer/songwriter Tom Hickox (left)was guest performer for the debut of the new HQ, which will serve as a suite for demonstrating Roland’s musical products as well as its pro-audio and video equipment.

“The decision to move to Metropolis Studios is part of our long-term strategy to increase our visibility as a total solutions provider to audio and video professionals. The obvious synergy between both RSG and Music products are demonstrated clearly in an environment such as Metropolis – and being [here] allows us to gain a better understanding of what our users want and how we can better address our target markets,” said Peter Heath, business development director at Roland UK.

A Roland 'Silent Stage' (often seen at trade events) has been created in the huge Metropolis atrium, and there are facilities for webstreaming rich content, and the hosting of private demos of Roland keyboards and instruments to artists and bands (artist liaison specialist Jamie Franklin will be on-hand to do just that).

“We are the only company that can combine professional audio products with professional music products and professional video products. I can’t emphasise that enough. Working in an environment that allows us to do that is fantastic,” added Heath.

“Metropolis and Roland who are very like-minded – they are pioneering in their space, as are we in ours,” said Metropolis MD Ian Brenchley at the launch. “Everything we do at Metropolis is about audio-visual excellence, and Roland are the very best in their game, so it’s a great match.”

Now in its 21st year, Metropolis Group is the most successful independent recording and production facility in Europe and offers a range of mastering, creative and production services for the music film and TV industries. Plans are afoot to expand into Qatar and Los Angeles.

Roland UK MD Tim Walter also commented: “We’ve been looking for a new base in London for the RSG team, as well as somewhere for artists relations. Our artists need somewhere where they feel safe and secure, to be able to try out equipment.” Walter says the lease had come to an end at the former Power Road facility in Gunnersbury, and the availability of Metropolis “absolutely fitted the bill”. “Particularly in these challenging economic times, these kind of partnerships become increasingly important,” he noted.

From Power Road to the Power House: but Walter denied the suggestion that Roland might be on a ‘power trip’:

“Well, I think it’s just about moving forwards basically…” he laughed. “Development, new partnerships and progress as opposed to power!”

Roland Systems Group, Lewitt Microphones and Metropolis Studios teamed up for a day of product demonstrations and know-how in the live sound and production area, with an additional focus on broadcast engineering and live video.

Chiswick’s Metropolis studios and its associated mastering, management and publishing businesses have taken on new investors after being placed in administration. But it’s “business as usual” says the CEO, and plans to open a studio in Qatar are going ahead.